מְחוּיָאֵל
𐤌𐤇𐤅𐤉𐤀𐤋
Mechuyael
H4232 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name referring to a male individual in the genealogies of Genesis; usually rendered as Mehujael in English translations. The precise lexical meaning is debated, but is traditionally understood as 'blotted out by God' or 'God makes alive', depending on vocalization and etymological interpretation. The term functions as a proper noun and does not bear broader lexical meanings outside of naming contexts.
Semantic Range
a personal name (Mehujael), possibly 'blotted out by God,' 'God makes alive'; occurs only as a proper name in biblical genealogy
Root / Etymology
The name appears to be a compound, possibly deriving from the roots מָחָה (machah, 'to wipe out, blot out, efface, annihilate') and אֵל (El, 'God'), yielding the proposed meaning 'blotted out by God.' However, some manuscripts and traditions vocalize it as מְחִיּיָאֵל (Mechijael), which could suggest derivation from חָיָה (chayah, 'to live'), possibly interpreted as 'God makes alive.' The etymology is therefore uncertain and debated.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Mehujael (מְחוּיָאֵל or מְחִיּיָאֵל) appears in Genesis 4:18 as a descendant of Cain, specifically as the father of Methushael. The variation of forms in the text and in later traditions points to some uncertainty in the consonantal and vocalic tradition of the name. No particular actions or characteristics are attached to Mehujael in the narrative. English translations usually reproduce the name directly, without attempting to translate it. The inclusion of אֵל (El, 'God') in the name is typical for biblical personal names. The historical context is strictly pre-flood (antediluvian), and the name does not recur elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or מְחִיּיָאֵל; from מָחָה and אֵל; smitten of God; Mechujael or Mechijael, an antediluvian patriarch; Mehujael.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מחה, אל (m-ḥ-h, ʾ-l) — wipe out, blot out, efface; God (El)
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4232-01 |
מְחֽוּיָאֵ֑ל | mechuyael | HNp |
Mehujael | Blotted-out-by-El | 1 |
H4232-02 |
וּ/מְחִיּיָאֵ֗ל | umechiyael | HC/Np |
and Mehujael | and Blotted-by-God | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4232-01 |
Genesis 4:18 | מְחֽוּיָאֵ֑ל | mechuyael | HNp |
Mehujael | Blotted-out-by-El |
H4232-02 |
Genesis 4:18 | וּ/מְחִיּיָאֵ֗ל | umechiyael | HC/Np |
and Mehujael | and Blotted-by-God |